Comments on: Regulation Ends Freewheeling Era for Pedicabshttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/
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By: mikehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568969
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:32:16 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568969If your on here critizing pedicabs get off the computer and on the driver seat of a 3 wheel bike. . . You wouldn’t last 5 mins . I’ve been driving a rickshaw for 5 years, and iam only 21. We ARE the hardest working people in the service industry, and yet the most underpaid under respected and over worked. Rain snow sun shine we are out there every day making on honest living. Ya the business isn’t perfect, inflation of drivers, rookies that don’t know what there doing, but to call pedicabs dangerous , simply abserd. We may drive extreme as is required in an extreme flow of traffic, but dangerous? There have been 2 major pedicab accidents in ny since 1995. Compared that to taxis buses or automobiles, its a wounder taxis aren’t banned, why buses are banned. Regulation? Yes , but its not regulation. Its too extreme and does not fit the needs of drivers or bikes, its ment to exterminate us. I mean come 15 days in jail for driving without a dca licence? You don’t get that driving on a suspenced car licence. We are harressed, ticketed and arrested, and that was before regulations. For driving a bike? Really? Now the police do a great job, many nights thay have saved me from drunks and crazy customors but the orders to inforce us I don’t understand. We are a usefull means of transportion, when traffic backed up and u can’t get a taxi, who saves the day, its not even that much money, a taxi meter goes sky high when stuck in rush hour traffic. To blame to industry on the mistake and over charges on a few rookie drivers in crazy. E pazzo. Because were always in the middle of the action , we often provide on the spot protection before police can arrive, I got off my bike and chased a purse snather on halloween, crist you know how many times I came home covered in my own blood working late night south beach because some creep wouldn’t leave a girl alone! Nobody cares to talk to the drivers, thay critize without knowing the facts. . . And the fact is. . We are best
]]>By: Davehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568951
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:28:17 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568951I just read that 7 pedestrians were killed in NYC this past week. Somehow I don’t feel that much safer knowing that the pedicabs are now regulated. Big deal.
]]>By: Davehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568947
Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:12:23 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568947I think the pedicab in NYC are great. When people say they slow down traffic I laugh – the pedicabs are often the only vehicles moving!. If they want to ban something that holds up traffic, how about banning half the cars so that the other half can move about.
]]>By: Tal Barzilaihttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568517
Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:56:38 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568517David, I tend to find your statement on Streetsblog to be false. I can remember when a pedicab and taxi driver got into a fight, they praised whatever that pedicab driver did even when it came to throwing his coffee, the first punch, or even a trash can at that taxi driver. He even fled the scene and they felt it was a heroic act. I will admit it was wrong for that cab driver to honk, but what that pedicab driver did was not justified by law. I have seen them talking about enforcement on bicycles that flout the law, and they act like victims. Overall, I am sure that Streetsblog is very much against the idea of licensing pedicabs because they tend to be against anything that holds cyclists like them accountable, responsible, or even liable for their actions. For the record, they talk so much about enforcement of laws on motor vehicles than they do on bicycles. I will believe that Streetsblog supports the idea of licensing to pedicabs as much as I believe that Hamas will support the existance of Israel as a nations.
]]>By: David in Manhattanhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568253
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:55:46 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568253Sorry, correcting my typo in #11:

1. According to the Post, NYPD directed its people to “leave the pedicabs alone” until the regulations were in effect.

Well, now they’re in effect–but only have been for mere hours. So everyone irrationally condemning all pedicab operators can calm down and see what happens.

]]>By: DaveDhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568245
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:15:57 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568245NYC, once an enjoyable destination, continues its progress toward becoming the Columbus of the east coast.
]]>By: lisahttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568229
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:34:44 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568229A good start but if the city really cared about safety they would make the drivers wear helmets.
]]>By: Sarahhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568221
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:24:18 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568221Hopefully the police will start ticketing them for traffic violations like running red lights. I can’t count the number of times I’ve nearly been run down by these people pedaling their buggies. When the light turns red and pedestrians begin to walk, the buggy guys need to NOT plow through the intersection. Those guys are dangerous…at least those who operate in Midtown.
]]>By: arnold finehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568215
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:04:38 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568215I always thought this was the case to begin with.
]]>By: David in Manhattanhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568213
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:59:44 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568213An important clarification for commenters blasting the behavior of pedicab drivers:

1. NYPD (unwisely) reportedly directed cops to “‘leave the pedicabs alone'” until the

2. The regulations ONLY WENT INTO EFFECT TODAY.

Give it just ONE WEEK and see if you don’t see an improvement in pedicab operators behavior–that is if you actually pay attention to conditions, rather than just make prejudicial comments based on your own narrow perspective.

]]>By: David in Manhattanhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568209
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:40:16 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568209Tal Barzilai (#4): by calling Streetsblog a “radical cycling group,” you’re clearly confusing it with something else. It’s not a cycling group or a group at all, but a blog as its name implies. If you actually read its coverage of the pedicab issue, you would know that the pedicab industry’s objections to the previous City Council bill which was vetoed stemmed specifically from the cap on the number of licenses the City would issue, not from any safety rule. As a frequent reader of Streetsblog myself, I see that your view is quite distorted: Streetsblog and its readers have little to say in defense of irresponsible pedicab operators, and I, a frequent commenter there myself, have eagerly awaited the pedicab licensing deadline because, as a supporter of the pedicab business, I hope the regulations will succeed in weeding out irresponsible operators.
]]>By: Garbanzohttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568207
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:21:19 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568207Licensing is one thing, but the police really need to crack down on these lawbreakers who seem to believe that traffic laws are only for others. I can’t count the number of times when an unlit pedicab has nearly been clocked in Midtown. And even beyond the scope of legality, pedicab drivers are simply rude and inconsiderate to others who share the road in places like Central Park. It’s not uncommon for them to ride three abreast on the main park drive, essentially stopping the flow of recreational traffic while they entertain tourists. Set up some rules on how pedicabs are different from bicycles and maybe things will get better.
]]>By: Satoricalhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568199
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:54:31 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568199Clearly displayed prices? I guess the gig is up for the guy who wanted $40 to take me a mile after I had just run the marathon. Uh, I’ll keep walking.
]]>By: Mikehttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568187
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:47:22 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568187“Pedicab owners, alarmed at lax safety standards, began a push for regulation…” Replace “at lax safety standards” with “rising competition” and the statement rings true.

The idea that those in business would seek regulation for legitimacy is laughable. Regulation, as usual, simply serves to protect the interest of those already established by making it more difficult for newcomers to compete.

]]>By: ARhttp://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/comment-page-1/#comment-568153
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:28:06 +0000http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/regulation-ends-freewheeling-era-for-citys-pedicabs/#comment-568153Do the new regulations require pedicab drivers to obey the traffic laws? do they mean that we will no longer be bumped or have curses rained upon us by pedicab drivers who don’t want to stop for a red light or who are mad that you weren’t looking for them as you crossed a one-way street down which they were going the wrong way? Will pedicab drivers lose their licenses when caught turning left at intersections that forbid that to motorists? Inquiring minds want to know if the new regulations will improve street safety for pedestrians.
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